Finished Water 3b (FW3B) ConstrUCTION Progress

Finished Water 3b (FW3B) ConstrUCTION Progress

As we recently broke ground on Finished Water 3B (FW3B), the process of installing construction fencing along the easement area, clearing and grubbing, and pipe installation has begun on the remaining 5.7-mile segment of the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System pipeline to Portales! The overall length of the FW3 pipeline that connects from the FW2 main junction vault northwest of Cannon Air Force Base to the Portales connection point at the Lime Street water storage facility is 17.2 miles and consists of FW3A’s 11.5 miles constructed a year prior and FW3B’s 5.7 miles.

The pipeline is 20-inch diameter polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and ductile iron pipe (DIP). These essential steps involve carefully pushing back the topsoil to prepare the land for pipe installation, trenching, bedding the pipe, installing the pipe, backfilling, compacting, and restoration. FW3B will provide crucial drinking water to the residents and businesses of Portales, a valued member of the ENMWUA community. Check out the pictures below to see the fantastic progress being made by our dedicated team!